E P I T O M E june 2015
i
volume. 01
THE YOUNG INFLUENCERS ISSUE
table of contents art 5 fashion 17 food 37
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editors note Krystal del Cid, Charmaine Greene, and Jordyn Simpson represent the board for Epitome Magazine. We will be bringing you a monthly report of Atlanta’s rapid, ever-changing culture. This month, we were inspired by the young professionals that are navigating their way through the world and representing the talent and culture based here in the dirty, yet beautiful, South.
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art
markeidric
walker
22 years old Painter & Illustrator Kennesaw, Georgia
What are your influences?
Things that seem so simple that they seem perfect. My influences come from nature. Not necessarily from other painters, because I feel like art is supposed to translate. If you’re referencing another painter’s work, then you’re not translating, you’re remaking in your own cool style. In art I feel like the senses should crossover, where you can translate sounds to something visual.
What is the last book you read?
David A. Leffel’s Self Portraits: A Visual Journey of Insight
What do you want people to take away from your work?
People tend to settle for a style that works, but I’m not worried about what works or not, I just want each piece I make to be better than my last. I want my art to be so meaningful that it looks as if it’s come to life by being rich and authentic.
What’s your favorite quote? “Do anything like you do everything”
What are some of your favorite things to do in Atlanta? Hit up Edgewood & explore restaurants.
Describe your perfect weekend. Vibe out listening to Soundcloud and paint.
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art
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markeidric walker
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h a s a n i sahlehe 23 years old Painter & Illustrator St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
What are your influences?
I like to pay attention to overlooked things, so recently my influences have been coming from shipping containers, puddles when it rains and the oil mixes, etc.
Why did you decide to start painting?
Originally, I was an illustrator, but I watched a Basquiat movie and decided to take one painting class. After the first five minutes the rest was history.
What was the last book you read? The Bible
What do you want people to take away from your art work?
Freedom. That’s the most important thing to me. It’s an amazing experience, and people go to extreme lengths to be free. I think in everything we do is to strive for that feeling of release.
What’s your favorite quote? “A lazy man works twice as hard”
What is your favorite thing to do in Atlanta?
I love to go out and try different foods.
Describe your perfect weekend. Work, clean, eat three times a day, and have time to really rest and reset.
art
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hasani sahlehe
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art
cyrus
harbin 25 years old Poet Gary, Indiana
What are your influences?
Why did you decide to start writing poetry?
Stylistically, I’m very influenced by Andre 3000 as well as Jay Givens and Andy Mineo. Lyrically, I’m very influenced by SPZRKT, Christon Gray, and Maxwell when it comes to writing. Poetry wise, Ernestine Johnson, Ezekiel Genetics, Jackie Hill, and the likes.
It kind of happened by accident. I do a lot of positive events and I wanted to speak, but at the time I was a choreographer and people only wanted me to dance. I was observing other speakers and they couldn’t really speak on the youth, so I decided to write a poem on the topic that I really wanted to speak about. Artistically, people enjoyed the poem so much, so I felt more encouraged to continue writing.
What was the last book you read?
Manhood Restored by Eric Mason
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cyrus harbin
What do you want people to take away from your work?
What is your favorite thing to do in Atlanta?
I want people to strive to be more excellent. I want them to feel inspired to start doing what they should’ve already started, or to do a better job in what they’re currently doing.
Perform
Describe your perfect weekend.
On Friday, I would enjoy going to an event or show at night with my girlfriend. Saturday, I would perform and connect with new people. Then Sunday, I have to go to church and spend the day with friends and family, listening to music/eating, and having really in depth conversations and ‘chopping’ it up.
What’s your favorite quote?
“The world does not need more Christian literature. What it needs is more Christians writing good literature.” – C.S. Lewis
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i s a a c shaw
What are your influences?
Honestly when it comes to art my influences are vast. They are different sides to it. As far as the music side there are artists like Coldplay, the Beatles, guys like Tye Tribbett… Its endless really. My number influence for as far as music goes, though, is God. I really try to mirror his complex beauty with my music really in a tangible way. Platform wise, guys like Kirk Franklin, who really opened the door for Christian artists of my kind, along with artists like Grits, CrossMovement, etc.
22 years old Gospel Artist Texas
What was the last book you read?
Well, the Bible, but also this book called “Soul Detox.” Prior to that, there was this book called Undercover, its basically about what submitting into what God’s authority looks like.
Why did you decide to enter the music industry?
This is something I’ve been doing my whole life. I Grew up singing in church and I came from a singing family. I actually told myself a long time ago that I never actually wanted to do music as a full-fledged career, but that’s something god really changed my heart on and He gave me the sound. Around the age of 14, I would literally hear the music to the point that I couldn’t sleep at night. It would be like 3:00 in the morning, and I’d hear every chord. As a little boy, I recognized it was God really putting that music on my heart and I honestly wanted to,as far as goals go, use that same talent and gift to create a platform for the Gospel. My passion is music, but my heart is ministry.
What do you want people to take away from your work?
What is your favorite thing to do in Atlanta?
Movies. My wife and I love going to the movies, we do everything together. We also like Main Event too, its dope, you gotta check it out.
Describe your perfect weekend.
Anything I do with my wife is my perfect weekend, she’s my everything. But honestly, going out to eat, seeing a movie, coming home cuddling and watching another movie. Haha just chilling really, aside from doing shows of course.
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Lots of things! For one I want people to be able to enjoy my music and to know that they can have enjoyable music thats poison-free. I heard a friend say it like this, its hip hop that you feel comfortable playing in the car with your kids, but that’s still dope. I want people to recognize that there is actually music out there thats crazy good with top-notch production, top-notch writing, topnotch creativity and everything, but that’s clean and godly, and doesn’t influence negativity.
What’s your favorite quote?
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
art
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street style We hit the streets of Atlanta to see what’s hot and trending in summer fashion. We caught up with a few young locals to see what inspires them and how they defined their style.
s h a n n e n talbot 20
23 years old Fashion Marketing Student Bermuda
What are your influences?
People. I think everyone tells a story all there own and I love that. I could sit by a window or outside even, and watch people. Without the risk of sounding like a creep, I just think the best influences are what is going on around you, but never in a negative sense because the world has to much of that.
Why did you decide to enter the fashion industry?
It was a constant rush of ideas, and the idea of merging clothing and business together seemed unimaginable in essence of a career. I think “fashion” is so vague though because there are so many facets. The glamour is a plus, but being hands on all the time is very me.
What do you want people to take away from your work?
That’s a good question. Honestly this is where things get tricky. I love my field but my passion revolves around giving back. I want anything I do to automatically recycle…if that makes sense. In essence I want people to get involved in a company because it yields reward, whether it’s helping a family, putting clothes on a child, whatever it is, I want what I do to give back.
fashion
jordan 23 years old Music Artist, Curator, & Creative Director Decatur, GA
white What are your influences?
My cousin, T-Bruin, he taught me how to rap and he gave some of my first fire beats, Bob Marley because his core message was love, and my Pops. My Pops was the coolest person that ever touched the soil of this planet.
What is the last item you bought? That fire shirt I have on in the photoshoot.
What do you want people to take away from your work?
As of right now, I want people to have fun with my work. I want people to have as much fun as I’m having right now. Other than that, don’t be tainted and be the purest form of yourself you can be
What are some of your favorite things to do in Atlanta?
Getting wings, making music, and meeting girls from Atlanta.
Describe your perfect weekend. One that trickles over into your week
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fashion
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fashion
tatyanna 19 years old Graphic Design Student Charleston, South Carolina
brown
What are your influences?
Jesus, my beautiful sisters who have influenced me and helped me in my walk with Christ. Art wise or style wise, I guess I can start with Ciara, being a dancer, I would definitely say I’m influenced by her.
What do you want people to take away from your work?
To see my work and that I’m passionate about it, and that I’m not doing it for fame or show but that I’m doing it to help spread a message and I want them to leave blessed, touched, and really understanding what I am trying to show them through movement and dance.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Atlanta?
Go to Ignite (Youth Ministry for middle to college age students at Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral) and to Cookout, because apparently that has become a thing amongst my group of friends. Also, visit different museums / anywhere that is showcasing art and different Christian get togethers for young adults.
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fashion
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tatyanna brown
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fashion
c h r i s bermudez 24 years old Entrepreneur & Music Manager Bronx, New York
What are your influences?
My family, music, and sports. Outside of that, Fashionwise, definitely Raf Simmons & Ryan Jackson
What is the last item you bought?
A shirt from Wal-Mart
What are some of your favorite things to do in Atlanta?
Wake up. I like waking up in Atlanta
Describe your perfect weekend.
One that I couldn’t forecast
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fashion
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chris bermudez
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fashion
33 years old Fashion Marketing Student Newark, Delaware
What are your influences?
Hands down, I am influenced by my mother. She got her degree in Fashion Marketing and always had an incredible sense of style, I used to love wearing her clothes growing up, and I still do! Basically when it comes to fashion, I just wear whatever I look and feel good in.
Where are your favorite places to shop?
I love UK shopping and fashions, so the majority of my shopping happens at ASOS and Missguided. I also really love consignment shops.
haugabrooke
jasmine
What was the last thing you bought?
A white tee from Target. You can never go wrong with a white tee.
What fashion advice do you have for our readers?
No matter what you wear, protrude confidence, the kind that starts within, and is a combination of feeling good about yourself and looking good outwardly. I also want what I wear to move people in some way, good bad or indifferent, I want you to feel something. I was once told by someone I’m like a walking work of art. And thats my goal!
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fashion
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jasmine haugabrooke
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food culture
Atlanta is quickly becoming known for it’s chef driven restaurant, and continuously pushing the envelope when it comes to giving ATL-iens a gourmet food experience . We scattered, researched, and (dare I say) indulged in the best hot spots; serving breakfast, lunch, dinner ... and even desert!
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food
w.o.w food truck 39
food
king of pops 40
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